EBL Summit - PRCA Annual Conference

February 5, 2013

Zip Chicago is proud to the be participating in this years EBL Canopy Tours Corporate Summit. Managers and Guides from across the twelve course network will be gathering in Orlando to discuss industry practices, trends, safety reviews, and market branding, for three days, February 18-20, 2013. Following the Summit, Zip Orlando is also host venue for this years Professional Ropes Course Association 8th Annual Ropes Course, Zipline / Canopy Tour, and Aerial Adventures conference. The PRCA is a contemporary and progressive association that supports the development and regulation of the ropes challenge course, canopy tour / zip lines, and aerial adventure parks industry. Established in 2003, the PRCA has achieved tremendous accomplishments including industry Standards, insurance programs and becoming the first ANSI Accredited Standards Developer for the industry in 2005. Currently the PRCA has an active draft standards within the ANSI review process and three public reviews since 2006.For more information on the PRCA, please visit: http://www.prcainfo.org

Workshops during this EBL Corporate Summit include:

On the Agenda:

History of EBL and industry. Being the first commercial installer of zipline canopy tours in the United States since 2002, EBL has become the industry leader. In fact, many of the new start up companies installing / training today, began as EBL clients. Over the years, EBL has consulted on hundreds of projects, conducted hundreds of site reviews, and has been part of over 36 installation projects, more than any other builder to day. This rich history, experience, and expertise is what make the EBL Brand of Canopy Tours so special. More details shall be provided by the owner of EBL, Mr. Steve Gustafson.

This years Summit looks to be exciting and full of new information and faces. In attendance this year from the Corporate Office shall be accountant Amber Fager. Ms. Fager will be addressing the various EBL Brand locations and a review of corporate P&L statements as well as 2013/2014 budget plans.

Jocelyn Myers from Zip Tahoe, has been developing a presentation on a Pro's and Con's analysis of reservation software. Based on her presentation and the feedback from the room, EBL will be looking at larger scale decisions about online reservation systems and functionality.

Wade Beane and Steve Gustafson plan on putting together a workshop on Customer Service, A Guide perspective to making for the best tour experience. You've all heard me say from the beginning of time, "The program makes the course, the course doesn't make the program." Mr. Beane and Mr. Gustafson will be discussing lessons from the field as to how to bring a more valued approach to the customer experience.

Steve Gustafson, Owner of EBL, will spend some time in review of 2012 and provide insight into the 2013 / 2014 future (with the help of his crystal ball and tarot cards). Changes at the Corporate level and the industry as a whole.

Marketing / Social Media - Jocelyn Myers from Zip Tahoe has been taking on a more informal role with helping us update Facebook pages. All 12 EBL locations shall discuss Social Media, marketing trends, and examine the best way to educate the public on what makes the EBL zipline tour different and the best experience in the marketplace.

Licensed Locations - There are some shifts in the Licensed Locations as we move into 2013. Expansion of tours, number of ziplines, and additional locations for 2013/2014!

Zip Orlando course experience! - Let's all go out and get our zip on! Part of the value from traveling to a different course, is seeing the a different application, tricks, venue, setting, and guide styles. Everyone will learn from better / best practices and can walk away with a new trick or guest relations skill. Night Tour anyone?! Looks to be fun in the evening as well. Plus we can all go over night operations and discuss what works and doesn't work.

Zip Orlando ATV Tour! - Yes, we have expanded into ATV tours. Come ride along in the new Polaris 800, 6 person Rangers as we explore the 8th generation working cattle ranch (some 4,700 acres in total) where Zip Orlando is located.

Updated Employee / Operations Handbook - We will go over the entire handbook and address issues and 2013 improvements.